Conspiracy Stereotypes of Jews During Systemic Transformation in Poland

Abstract

The nature and functioning of the conspiracy theories of Jews in present-day Poland have been analyzed using a variety of methodological approaches (surveys, naturalistic experiments, cross-sectional studies). We examine (a) functional differences between conspiracy stereotypes and trait-laden stereotypes of Jews, (b) situational factors of the political milieu that modify accessibility of the conspiracy theories of Jews and their impact on attitudes, and (c) the role of value orientations and perceptions of outgroup entitativity and essentialism in conspiracy thinking. The broader implications of our findings for understanding systemic transition in Poland in the past fifteen years are discussed.